Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Agrària i Tecnologia Agroalimentàriahttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/15252015-08-02T21:55:57Z2015-08-02T21:55:57ZTensile Properties of Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Mechanical, Thermomechanical, and Chemi-Thermomechanical Pulps from Orange PruningReixach Corominas, RafelEspinach Orús, XavierArbat Pujolràs, GerardJulián Pérez, FernandoDelgado Aguilar, MarcPuig, JosepMutjé Pujol, Perehttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/104622015-06-16T00:00:51Z2015-01-01T00:00:00ZTensile Properties of Polypropylene Composites Reinforced with Mechanical, Thermomechanical, and Chemi-Thermomechanical Pulps from Orange Pruning
Reixach Corominas, Rafel; Espinach Orús, Xavier; Arbat Pujolràs, Gerard; Julián Pérez, Fernando; Delgado Aguilar, Marc; Puig, Josep; Mutjé Pujol, Pere
This paper explores the evolution in the tensile strength of orange pruning fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites. The exploitation of these pruning"s can effectively avoid incineration, with the consequence of CO2 emissions and fire risk, while extending the value chain of the agricultural industry. This biomass was subjected to three different treatments yielding mechanical, thermomechanical, and chemi-thermomechanical pulps. It was found that 20 to 50% of these pulps, together with a coupling agent, were used as polypropylene reinforcement. The evolution in the tensile strength and morphological properties of the fibers, and the effect of treatments on these properties were analyzed. A modified rule of mixtures (mROM) was used to analyze the micromechanical properties of the interface. In addition, the mechanical properties were weighted against the fiber treatment yields. Finally, factors to compute the net contribution of the fibers to the final strength of the composite materials were proposed
2015-01-01T00:00:00ZPercepción e imagen de los consumidores españoles del pescado salvaje y del pescado de acuiculturaClaret Coma, Annahttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/104402015-06-10T00:00:45Z2015-04-17T00:00:00ZPercepción e imagen de los consumidores españoles del pescado salvaje y del pescado de acuicultura
Claret Coma, Anna
La tesi doctoral que es presenta a continuació té com a objectiu estudiar la percepció que tenen els consumidors espanyols del peix d’aqüicultura en comparació amb el peix salvatge, des de vàries perspectives: percepció d’aspectes relacionats amb el màrqueting (informació disponible en l’etiquetatge), percepció d’aspectes psicològics (component cognitiva o creences) i percepció d’aspectes sensorials. Els resultats obtinguts indiquen una clara discrepància entre la percepció subjectiva i objectiva de la qualitat del peix d’aqüicultura. Si bé no sembla necessari millorar les seves característiques sensorials, sí és indispensable millorar la seva imatge entre els consumidors per tal de fomentar el seu consum. En aquest sentit, els resultats obtinguts aporten informació de gran valor per al sector en el disseny d’estratègies efectives de màrqueting i polítiques de promoció dels seus producte.; The objective of this thesis is to study the Spanish consumers’ perception of farmed versus wild fish, from various perspectives: perception of marketing aspects (labelling information), psychological perception (cognitive component or beliefs) and sensory perception. The obtained results indicate a clear disagreement between subjective and objective perception about the quality of farmed fish. The optimisation of the sensory characteristics of fish from aquaculture seems not to be necessary. However, it is essential to improve its image among consumers in order to promote its consumption. In this sense, the obtained results provide valuable information for the aquaculture sector in the design of effective marketing strategies and policies aimed to promote their products.
2015-04-17T00:00:00ZEliminació d'ions metàl·lics d'aigües residuals d'una indústria de recobriment de superfícies mitjançant residus vegetalsPujol Oriola, Davidhttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/103512015-05-05T16:09:53Z2015-04-09T00:00:00ZEliminació d'ions metàl·lics d'aigües residuals d'una indústria de recobriment de superfícies mitjançant residus vegetals
Pujol Oriola, David
Els ions metàl·lics són contaminants no biodegradables que es poden trobar a les aigües i que poden acumular-se en els organismes vius, causant diverses malalties i trastorns.
Un dels metalls més contaminant i àmpliament utilitzat en les indústries és el crom, aquest metall es troba a les aigües residuals d’indústries de recobriment de superfícies de crom, en barreja amb altres metalls divalents, com el Cu(II) i el Ni(II).Els mètodes utilitzats convencionalment per eliminar crom i altres metalls d’efluents industrials suposen alts costos operatius.
En aquesta tesi s’ha establert un tractament efectiu per eliminar ions metàl·lics que es troben a les aigües residuals d’una indústria de recobriment de superfícies basat en l’adsorció mitjançant rapa de raïm. Aquest sistema de tractament pot ser adaptat fàcilment a les variacions de concentracions inicials de metalls que sovint es troben en les aigües residuals industrials.; The metal ions are non-biodegradable pollutants that can be found in water and that can be accumulated in living organisms, causing various diseases and disorders.
Chromium is one of the most polluting and widely used metal in the industries. This metal can be found frequently in combination with other divalent metals such as Cu(II) and Ni(II) in real electroplating wastewaters. The conventional methods used to remove chromium and other metals from industrial effluents usually generate high operational costs.
In this thesis, an effective treatment based on adsorption by grape stalks to remove metal ions present in industrial electroplating wastewater has been established. The developed treatment can be easily adapted to wastewater with different initial chromium concentrations, as frequently occurs in the industrial wastewater effluents.
2015-04-09T00:00:00ZNinety-day oral toxicity studies on two genetically modified maize MON810 varieties in Wistar Han RCC rats (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE)Zeljenková, DagmarAmbrušová, KatarínaBartušová, MáriaKebis, AntonKovrižnych, Jevgenij A.Krivošíková, ZoraKuricová, MiroslavaLíšková, AuréliaRollerova, E.Spustová, VieraSzabová, ElenaTulinská, JanaWímmerová, SoňaLevkut, MikulášRévajová, VieraŠevčíková, ZuzanaSchmidt, KerstinSchmidtke, JörgLa Paz, José LuísCorujo, MariaPla i de Solà-Morales, MariaKleter, Gijs A.Kok, Esther J.Sharbati, JuttaHanisch, CarlosEinspanier, RalfAdel-Patient, KarineWal, Jean MichelSpök, ArminPöting, AnnetteKohl, ChristianWilhelm, RalfSchiemann, JoachimSteinberg, Pablohttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/103292015-04-30T11:54:19Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZNinety-day oral toxicity studies on two genetically modified maize MON810 varieties in Wistar Han RCC rats (EU 7th Framework Programme project GRACE)
Zeljenková, Dagmar; Ambrušová, Katarína; Bartušová, Mária; Kebis, Anton; Kovrižnych, Jevgenij A.; Krivošíková, Zora; Kuricová, Miroslava; Líšková, Aurélia; Rollerova, E.; Spustová, Viera; Szabová, Elena; Tulinská, Jana; Wímmerová, Soňa; Levkut, Mikuláš; Révajová, Viera; Ševčíková, Zuzana; Schmidt, Kerstin; Schmidtke, Jörg; La Paz, José Luís; Corujo, Maria; Pla i de Solà-Morales, Maria; Kleter, Gijs A.; Kok, Esther J.; Sharbati, Jutta; Hanisch, Carlos; Einspanier, Ralf; Adel-Patient, Karine; Wal, Jean Michel; Spök, Armin; Pöting, Annette; Kohl, Christian; Wilhelm, Ralf; Schiemann, Joachim; Steinberg, Pablo
The GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence (GRACE; www.grace-fp7.eu) project is funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Programme. A key objective of GRACE is to conduct 90-day animal feeding trials, animal studies with an extended time frame as well as analytical, in vitro and in silico studies on genetically modified (GM) maize in order to comparatively evaluate their use in GM plant risk assessment. In the present study, the results of two 90-day feeding trials with two different GM maize MON810 varieties, their near-isogenic non-GM varieties and four additional conventional maize varieties are presented. The feeding trials were performed by taking into account the guidance for such studies published by the EFSA Scientific Committee in 2011 and the OECD Test Guideline 408. The results obtained show that the MON810 maize at a level of up to 33 % in the diet did not induce adverse effects in male and female Wistar Han RCC rats after subchronic exposure, independently of the two different genetic backgrounds of the event
2014-01-01T00:00:00ZTowards integrated operation of membrane bioreactors : effects of aeration on biological and filtration performanceDalmau Figueras, MontserratMonclús Sales, HèctorGabarrón Fernández, SaraRodríguez-Roda Layret, IgnasiComas Matas, Joaquimhttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/103262015-05-04T11:10:52Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZTowards integrated operation of membrane bioreactors : effects of aeration on biological and filtration performance
Dalmau Figueras, Montserrat; Monclús Sales, Hèctor; Gabarrón Fernández, Sara; Rodríguez-Roda Layret, Ignasi; Comas Matas, Joaquim
Two experimental studies evaluated the effect of aerobic and membrane aeration changes on sludge properties, biological nutrient removal and filtration processes in a pilot plant membrane bioreactor. The optimal operating conditions were found at an aerobic dissolved oxygen set-point (DO) of 0.5mgO2L-1 and a membrane specific aeration demand (SADm) of 1mh-1, where membrane aeration can be used for nitrification. Under these conditions, a total flow reduction of 42% was achieved (75% energy reduction) without compromising nutrient removal efficiencies, maintaining sludge characteristics and controlled filtration. Below these optimal operating conditions, the nutrient removal efficiency was reduced, increasing 20% for soluble microbial products, 14% for capillarity suction time and reducing a 15% for filterability. Below this DO set-point, fouling increased with a transmembrane pressure 75% higher. SADm below 1mh-1 doubled the values of transmembrane pressure, without recovery after achieving the initial conditions
2014-01-01T00:00:00ZPharmaceuticals occurrence in a WWTP with significant industrial contribution and its input into the river systemCollado Alsina, NeusRodríguez Mozaz, SaraGros, MeritxellRubirola Gamell, AdriàBarceló i Cullerés, DamiàComas Matas, JoaquimRodríguez-Roda Layret, IgnasiButtiglieri, Gianluigihttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/103252015-05-04T11:10:32Z2014-01-01T00:00:00ZPharmaceuticals occurrence in a WWTP with significant industrial contribution and its input into the river system
Collado Alsina, Neus; Rodríguez Mozaz, Sara; Gros, Meritxell; Rubirola Gamell, Adrià; Barceló i Cullerés, Damià; Comas Matas, Joaquim; Rodríguez-Roda Layret, Ignasi; Buttiglieri, Gianluigi
Occurrence and removal of 81 representative Pharmaceutical Active Compounds (PhACs) were assessed in a municipal WWTP located in a highly industrialized area, with partial water reuse after UV tertiary treatment and discharge to a Mediterranean river. Water monitoring was performed in an integrated way at different points in the WWTP and river along three seasons. Consistent differences between therapeutic classes were observed in terms of influent concentration, removal efficiencies and seasonal variation. Conventional (primary and secondary) treatment was unable to completely remove numerous compounds and UV-based tertiary treatment played a complementary role for some of them. Industrial activity influence was highlighted in terms of PhACs presence and seasonal distribution. Even if global WWTP effluent impact on the studied river appeared to be minor, PhACs resulted widespread pollutants in river waters. Contamination can be particularly critical in summer in water scarcity areas, when water flow decreases considerably
2014-01-01T00:00:00ZComparison of a deterministic and a data driven model to describe MBR foulingDalmau Figueras, MontserratAtanasova, NatašaGabarrón Fernández, SaraRodríguez-Roda Layret, IgnasiComas Matas, Joaquimhttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/103242015-05-04T11:10:10Z2015-01-01T00:00:00ZComparison of a deterministic and a data driven model to describe MBR fouling
Dalmau Figueras, Montserrat; Atanasova, Nataša; Gabarrón Fernández, Sara; Rodríguez-Roda Layret, Ignasi; Comas Matas, Joaquim
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are a combination of activated sludge bioreactors and membrane filtration, enabling high quality effluent with a small footprint. However, they can be beset by fouling, which causes an increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP). Modelling and simulation of changes in TMP could be useful to describe fouling through the identification of the most relevant operating conditions. Using experimental data from a MBR pilot plant operated for 462days, two different models were developed: a deterministic model using activated sludge model n°2d (ASM2d) for the biological component and a resistance in-series model for the filtration component as well as a data-driven model based on multivariable regressions. Once validated, these models were used to describe membrane fouling (as changes in TMP over time) under different operating conditions. The deterministic model performed better at higher temperatures (>20°C), constant operating conditions (DO set-point, membrane air-flow, pH and ORP), and high mixed liquor suspended solids (>6.9gL-1) and flux changes. At low pH (<7) or periods with higher pH changes, the data-driven model was more accurate. Changes in the DO set-point of the aerobic reactor that affected the TMP were also better described by the data-driven model. By combining the use of both models, a better description of fouling can be achieved under different operating conditions
2015-01-01T00:00:00ZProductos cárnicos fermentado-curados funcionales y seguros. Nueva vía de ingestión de probióticosRubio Moreno, Raquelhttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/98212015-01-12T10:32:09Z2014-10-14T00:00:00ZProductos cárnicos fermentado-curados funcionales y seguros. Nueva vía de ingestión de probióticos
Rubio Moreno, Raquel
Fermented meats play an important part in many diets and are very appreciate by the consumer. However, these products are an important source of fat and salt, associated to chronic cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new strategies in the manufacture of fermented meats in order to innovate in this area to obtain healthier products; Els embotits fermentats-curats (EFC) estan presents en moltes dietes i són molt apreciats pel consumidor, però a la vegada constitueixen una font important de greix i sal, responsables de malalties cardiovasculars. Per tant, és necessari el desenvolupament de noves estratègies en la fabricació d’EFC per innovar en aquest camp, en benefici de la promoció de la salut del consumidor
2014-10-14T00:00:00ZIntegrated operation of membrane bioreactors: simulation and experimental studiesDalmau Figueras, Montserrathttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/98202015-01-12T10:32:08Z2014-10-17T00:00:00ZIntegrated operation of membrane bioreactors: simulation and experimental studies
Dalmau Figueras, Montserrat
Membrane bioreactors (MBR) are a combination of common bioreactors and membrane filtration units for biomass retention, presenting unique advantages like high effluent quality and a smaller footprint than the one by conventional wastewater treatment plants. However, fouling and its associated costs are the main drawbacks related to this technology. This thesis presents a step towards the integrated operation of MBRs through experimental and model-based studies. Interactions between the biological (nutrient removal and sludge characteristics) and physical (hydrodynamics and filtration) processes in MBRs were studied, with the final aim being to improve their integrated operation and control. Moreover, the reduced energy costs and the better understanding of MBR operation may contribute to making MBR systems a more competitive technology to deal with water scarcity problems; Els bioreactors de membranes (BRM) són una combinació dels reactors convencionals i una unitat de filtració que reté la biomassa, de manera que presenten com a gran avantatge una qualitat de sortida amb estàndards de reutilizació, i molt poca necessitat d’espai. Tanmateix, l'embrutiment i els seus costs associats són els principals inconvenients d'aquesta tecnologia. Aquesta tesi presenta un pas endavant cap a l’operació integrada dels BRM mitjançant estudis experimentals i de modelització. Les interaccions entre els processos biològics (eliminació de nutrients i característiques de la biomassa) i físics (hidrodinàmica i filtració) que tenen lloc als BRM s’han estudiat amb l’objectiu final de millorar-ne la seva operació i el control integrat. A més, s'han reduit els costos energètics, els quals contribueixen a la millora de la competitvitat de la tecnologia BRM com a solució potencial per a problemes d’escassetat d’aigua
2014-10-17T00:00:00ZProduction of Phytotoxic Cationic α-Helical Antimicrobial Peptides in Plant Cells Using Inducible PromotersCompany Casadevall, NúriaNadal i Matamala, AnnaRuiz Ramírez, Cristinahttp://hdl.handle.net/10256/97212015-04-29T11:13:01Z2014-11-01T00:00:00ZProduction of Phytotoxic Cationic α-Helical Antimicrobial Peptides in Plant Cells Using Inducible Promoters
Company Casadevall, Núria; Nadal i Matamala, Anna; Ruiz Ramírez, Cristina
Synthetic linear antimicrobial peptides with cationic α-helical structures, such as BP100, have potent and specific activities against economically important plant pathogenic bacteria. They are also recognized as valuable therapeutics and preservatives. However, highly active BP100 derivatives are often phytotoxic when expressed at high levels as recombinant peptides in plants. Here we demonstrate that production of recombinant phytotoxic peptides in transgenic plants is possible by strictly limiting transgene expression to certain tissues and conditions, and specifically that minimization of this expression during transformation and regeneration of transgenic plants is essential to obtain viable plant biofactories. On the basis of whole-genome transcriptomic data available online, we identified the Os.hsp82 promoter that fulfilled this requirement and was highly induced in response to heat shock. Using this strategy, we generated transgenic rice lines producing moderate yields of severely phytotoxic BP100 derivatives on exposure to high temperature. In addition, a threshold for gene expression in selected tissues and stages was experimentally established, below which the corresponding promoters should be suitable for driving the expression of recombinant phytotoxic proteins in genetically modified plants. In view of the growing transcriptomics data available, this approach is of interest to assist promoter selection for specific purposes
2014-11-01T00:00:00Z